Tag: e24

While the BMW M6 debuted in North America in 1987, other markets had been enjoying this hopped up version of the E24 coupe under the M635CSi guise since 1983. While non catalyzed M6 engines were producing 286 horsepower, the North American market had to deal with “just” 256 horsepower. Here we have the very first M6 of 1,767 sold in North America.

This is the first BMW M6 ever built for the US Market. The vehicle is in all original condition. The engine was rebuilt a year and half ago and the car has had 100 miles put on it since. This is a very special vehicle due to the fact that it was the first one ever made. This car was actually a pre-production car and was held on to by BMW until 1988 when it was finally shipped to a dealer in California and sold. Being that this was a pre-production vehicle the car was built with out power seats and did not have the fixed rear center console.

The car lived in California until 2006 when it was purchased by a gentlemen in Washington DC. The car was then sold to a gentlemen in Rhode Island later that year. I purchased the car in the fall of 2007 and have enjoyed it ever since. I have all of the service records of the car through the years. The car has been maintained very well. To make the car into a show car the car would have to be repainted in its original Royal Blue Metallic paint color which is easily available and have the driver side bolster fixed where there has developed a rip.

The reason I’m selling the car is that I have other projects that I have gotten involved in and I’m not going to have time to get to this car in the near future. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get your hands on a piece of history like this.

Being the first production M6 for North America, this car has a lot of significance. However, the condition of the vehicle lets it down. As I write this, there is only one bid and the price is at $9,000, not having met the reserve. I can’t see such a car going for over $15k, even though it is chassis number one. If this car had been taken better care of and reflected that in condition and service records, we’d have a winner on our hands. Still, this is an important piece of BMW M history.

The E24 6-series holds a cult following that has become more and more vocal around the automotive world recently. Admired for the unmistakable landshark aesthetic, the best engineering BMW had to offer, and unadulterated (or is that adulterated?) 80s charm, loyal reader and commenter Bob brought to our attention an example that should have the cult of 6 screaming. Screaming at one another to buy it; at their wives to let them buy it; at their parents/bank/ATM to lend them the money. This Golden Shark is a truly spectacular 2-owner, 64k-mile beauty at a pleasing price.

The seller isn’t joking when he says it looks like it has 10k miles on it. He and the original owner confirm that this thing hasn’t been driven in the rain. Ever. It’s the nicest 6-series I’ve seen, inside and out, but isn’t priced like other “collectable” 80s BMWs these days. An E30 M3 or E28 M5 in this condition would go for well over $20k, yet this gold-chained beauty has a Buy-it-Now price of just $11,995. Maybe it’s the color, but if you’re going gaudy 80s, you might as well embrace some gold while you’re at it. It certainly isn’t the provenance or the condition; those are unparalleled. The growing E24 cult should snap this baby up as quickly as possible before they become like the huddle Gollums searching for a clean, reasonably priced M3.

Born on the 25th in 1985, it’s my golden birthday this year. This would be an appropriate present.

What happens when you take a BMW tuner that turns all BMWs into shark-nosed road monsters and unleash it upon the sharkiest of all BMWs?

Ubershark.

Obviously based on the E24, Alpina applies their usual chunky front and rear spoilers, tron-graphics, and infinitely-spoked wheels to create the B9 3.5 Coupe. A subtle but vast improvement on the NA 635CSi is the Euro bumpers. All this combines for one mean looking package with some beef behind it, as the Alpina came with an improved 3.5L I6 pushing out 245hp, a healthy boost over the 635’s 215hp. That power is nice, but really, you’re buying this car for the looks. This example is in North Wales, GB and is far from perfect, but it’s only covered 56k miles and could be made great.

There are some things wrong with this car. Some cracks here and there, notably the front splitter and the dash. It’s in Wales, and though they offer a shipping option, you will may run into some federalization issues. The biggest turn off for me about this car though is the chunky automatic gear selector in the middle.

Acknowledging those shortcomings, there’s a lot of awesomeness going on here, almost entirely in the looks department. Holy cow. Those lines, the spoilers, and the wheels that really tie the room together. Notice how when the center caps are gone, it’s a totally different look? Yeah, those wheels are the hotness. Anyways. It’s been posted before and it’s stuck at $4k on eBay now, so something in the “cons” section is keeping people away. For me, it’s worth a chunk of money just to look at.

-NR

Aaron also came across this car and adds these thoughts.

1985 BMW 6-Series Alpina B9 for Sale
May 19, 2010 by Aaron

If you did not see my rant last week, I was going on and on (and on) about the rarity of real Alpina’s in the states. As if on cue a company by the name of Performance Legends in North Wales has listed three Alpina’s on eBay. All three of which look to be in good to excellent condition. Alpina’s are far more common in the UK, so the seller’s notion to offer these up to buyers in the states is a stroke of genius. Here is an example:

1985 BMW 6-Series Alpina B9 for Sale:

From the seller’s ad –

“Welcome to this listing for a very rare Alpina B9 3.5 Coupe that we recently imported from Japan. We are experienced importers and exporters of specialist performance cars and we can offer shipping of this car from the UK to the US East Coast for $2000. We would like you to be totally comfortable buying from us so if you would like more photos of the car or any particular areas of the car, please let us know and we will get them for you. The Alpina VIN is WAPB935C05B910557 and we have verified that the engine and head numbers are original and matching with the Alpina factory records. The car is number B9-557 according to the Alpina plaque on the centre console and was built in Buchloe in July 1985.

We can supply the car with either its original 16″ alloy wheels or the 17″ wheels also shown. If you would like both sets there will be an additional cost. This B9 is in good condition especially considering that it is nearly 25 years old, with both sound bodywork and mechanicals. The car is fully UK registered with all paperwork and all import taxes paid already. There is some minor cosmetic work required to make this car perfect, but nothing major and most importantly there is no rot in the bodywork.

In our opinion the mileage of the car is original, and it has never been accident damaged although we can not guarantee either of these things due to its age. The engine, gearbox and other mechanical parts are in excellent condition and we have just completed a full fluid service including spark plugs and filters. The interior is also in excellent condition with only a couple of minor faults. This Alpina drives very well indeed and I was very pleasantly surprised how nice it is when I recently completed 100 mile trip in it. Everything seems to work ok including the electrics etc. We are having a stock clear-out and as such we will listen to any sensible offers, however as it is a really nice car and deserves to go to a good home, we will not be giving it away.”

I chose the B9 as it is my favorite Alpina, while this one is not perfect it is a knockout as it sits. It is rare to find a seller so willing to export to the states, a starting bid of less than $13k and another $2k for shipping does not seem unreasonable. It would also take some cash to federalize this B9, however, the older these cars get the easier they are the federalize. There are several boutique dealers on the West Coast that will work with the seller to import the car and handle the necessary paperwork and needed changes to make the car US road ready.

If you did not see my rant last week, I was going on and on (and on) about the rarity of real Alpina’s in the states. As if on cue a company by the name of Performance Legends in North Wales has listed three Alpina’s on eBay. All three of which look to be in good to excellent condition. Alpina’s are far more common in the UK, so the seller’s notion to offer these up to buyers in the states is a stroke of genuis. Here is an example:
Is it worth it? Would it be easier to import one of these cars from Toronto which has become the Alpina capitol of North America? I have the feeling that Alpina fans are going to kick themleves in 20 years when they are even more scarce than they are now. What say you? Any Alpina owners out there who care to comment on these cars?

Mint condition 1988 BMW M6, only 35,615 Miles. This car is awesome. All hoses, clamps, Rubber, and insulation pads replaced 2004. Full OH and service on brakes and clutch in 2004 over $8,700 of restoration work in 2004. This car has it all. In 1995 (@26,330 miles)we installed BMW M-system wheels, Pirelli Tires, Stage 4 Dinan High Performance Suspension Package, D900-3421 Dinan High Performance Chip over $11,400 of improvements(all work documented and performed by Research, Restoration and Development, Inc). Car has sunroof, leather, alpine stereo, a/c, full power seats/windows, built in radar detection system(needs updating for modern laser). The interior is gray and in mint condition 10/10 (not a single blemish to include trunk with original tool kit) The exterior is blue (looks blue/purpleish in certian light) original color. The exterior has no dents and is really good condition. There are some small road chips on front (Spoiler has no scraps or damage) Being critical, I would rate the paint as 8.5/10 due to the front road chips. This car looks mint and has always been stored indoors and cleaned and buffed after each trip. Cover Included.

$22.5k sounds like a pretty good deal with this kind of mileage, and documented maintenance and upgrades. And the blue on gray with the M5 rims… Yum!

There are lots of BMW e24 635CSi’s available in North America. However this example is European specification, which is rare to begin with, but the M model was exclusive to Europe until introduced as the M6 in North America in 1987. The only significant differences between the M635CSi and the M6 are the bigger (and uglier) bumpers and emissions controls. Otherwise, this 85 M635csi should be thought of an M6 with the right body work and easier breathing intake and exhaust. Long story short, a bargain with such low miles and an asking of $18k!

quote from seller after I emailed and inquired about pictures and listing the car on this site:

I am second owner, CA car has 81,500 miles, 5 speed manual trans, pearl leather interior in excellent condition, including dash and speaker pods on rear deck- no cracks. Original paint, diamond black. Original BBS wheels, Dinan chip and Dinan triple gauge cluster installed forward of shifter (see photos), Frank Fahey crank nut lock and cam crank hub upgrades, synthetic oil, 10.5:1 compression, sunroof, A/C, stereo upgrade “Eclipse” with CD/MP3, antitheft, alarm, all keys, drop down tool kit in trunk and trunk lid/liner all intact and like new, with all tools included in the drop down tool kit. All weather seals in very good condition, no leaks. Original crosshatch rubber floor mats. Original carpeting in excellent like new condition and all very clean.

What a fantastic car! If you’re interested and would like to inquire further, please click on his ad on Roadfly.

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